The Mother/Son/Daughter archetype originates from prehistory. In the
eyes of the emerging patriarchy the Mother as the central Deity had to be overcome.
Crucial is the destruction of Mother Tiamat (Babylon) by the God Marduk. From that moment
on the Mother was portrayed as a monster, a devil. Her Son/Lovers ("Green Men")
equally belonged to the past. In Christianity they were therefore depicted as
"pagans", who were defeated e.g. overcome by Christ.

Taotie: the Great Mother (on the base) or Kirtimukha
(Kala) of ancient China

Baubo/Goddess of Palestine

"Ding", Chinese Vessel of Abundance, symbolizing
the Cosmic Womb with a Pig as Her Beast

MotherGoddess Artemis with Her Bull balls(Mother and Son/Lovers)

The difference between East and West is that in the East
the original unity between Mother and Son/Lover ist often still present. It is particular
prominent in the "Kirtimukha" symbolism. What you see is a "monstrous"
head with branches, flowers and leaves pouring out of its (Her) face openings. In the West
- due to individualism/emancipation - Mother and Son separated: Mother/Goddesses, Black
Madonna on one hand and "Green Men" on the other. The latter took over the
function of "Vegetation-Gods".

The Lady and Her Dragons (China). Isn't She very similar
to the Ugarit Lady?

Pavia, Italy. The miracle is that the "Lady and Her Beasts"
(here with dragons) can e.g. be found in various cultures e.g. in India, Tibet, China and
Java.....

The Church did everything to show the "Green
Men" up in a bad light. So, very often their faces are (very) ugly. Its purpose was
to threaten people for relapse into pagan beliefs. It is thus crucial to understand that
my interest in the "Green Men" is NOT their distorted images. I am NOT a
believer of devils. This is also true for the Kirtimukhas. They also embody a
pre-patriarchal past. Due to the inclusive attitude of the East these Kirtimukhas
("Kala, Kali, Mahakala") are still respected. I like them, NOT because of their
demonic (distorted) appearences, but ONLY because of what they represent: the Original
Cosmic Mother.

The pictures on this page are only a random collection.
Its function isn't more but give you a feel of the issue. The sections themselves - East
and West - are accomodated e.g. classified in separate files.